Lightning's Yzerman prepared to trade Drouin for 'equal value'

Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman is juggling two high-profile player situations. Steven Stamkos is in the last year of his contract, and young wing Jonathan Drouin has asked for a trade. (DIRK SHADD | Times)

VANCOUVER — Lightning GM Steve Yzerman has a lot on his plate these days, with C Steven Stamkos still without a contract extension and touted wing Jonathan Drouin requesting a trade.

Yzerman addressed both topics Saturday night in an interview on Hockey Night in Canada before the Lightning's game against the Canucks. He said he's "prepared to trade" Drouin, whose request was made public a week ago today, but he has to receive "equal value" in return.

Yzerman wouldn't say if any offers have been made to Stamkos. He reiterated his intention to get something done with the captain, who is in the final year of his deal. Yzerman also said there have been no "philosophical differences" with Stamkos playing center or wing.

"Steven has come out publicly and said he wants to remain with the Lightning and hopes that we can work out a deal and that he wins a Stanley Cup as the captain of the Tampa Bay Lightning," Yzerman said. "That's what we want as well, and we'll continue to work towards that."

Drouin went without a point in his second game with AHL Syracuse on Saturday, a 4-2 loss to Hershey, with representatives from eight NHL teams in attendance.

"We drafted Jonathan Drouin third overall for a reason — because we believe he's going to be a very good hockey player. And I still believe he's going to be a very good hockey player in this league," Yzerman said. "So it's important for our organization that if we make a trade, we get equal value. But Jonathan has been told that he won't be traded to make him happy but because it's a good trade for the Tampa Bay Lightning."

BIG SAVE: D Victor Hedman said he woke up Saturday morning to several text messages about his goal-saving, sprawling glove save in the first period of Friday's 3-2 win in Edmonton. "They didn't think I had it in me," Hedman said, smiling. "I played goalie when I was younger, so I had some talent."

MOVING UP: C Vladislav Namestnikov started Saturday's game on the wing with Stamkos, the two having played well together this season.

"(Namestnikov's) confidence in himself, his confidence of being a regular in this league, it's here, it's arrived," coach Jon Cooper said. "I think probably there was a day he would have been intimidated to play with (Stamkos), but I don't think that's the case anymore. That's something that has to be overcome."

NUTS AND BOLTS: D Matt Carle was scratched for the third straight game. RW Jonathan Marchessault was also scratched in back-to-back games. … D Anthony DeAngelo, the Lightning's first-round draft pick in 2014, was scratched for the second straight game in Syracuse, a "coaches decision."

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